Surname Devos - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing My Intertwined Celtic Roots: The Unexpected Discoveries from My iGenEA DNA Test About the Devos Lineage

I recently took a DNA test at iGenEA to uncover the lineage of the Devos in our family. The unexpected revelation that we hail from ancient Celtic civilisation, as opposed to the believed Franco-Belgian linage, made me explore more about our Celtic roots. This not only sparked a curiosity in historic cultures but also reshaped my understanding of my personal traits and interests.

U. Devos

Devos: What does the surname Devos mean?

DeVos is a surname of Dutch origin that translates to "The Fox." In many cultures, the fox is often associated with cunning, wisdom, and adaptability. The name is patronymic, which means it's derived from the name of a father or ancestor, suggesting that it may trace back to an ancestor who embodied the characteristics of a fox. In the Netherlands, where the surname originated, "De" is a common prefix for Dutch surnames and means "the". However, variations of the last name exist across different regions and cultures. In the US, the DeVos family is particularly known for their wealth and influence in politics and business, such as Richard DeVos, co-founder of Amway, and Betsy DeVos, former Secretary of Education.

Devos: Where does the name Devos come from?

The Devos surname is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Belgium today. In the Netherlands, the name is particularly widespread in the provinces of Friesland and North Holland.

In all of Belgium, the name is particularly common in the province of East Flanders.

The Devos name is thought to have two possible origins - it could be derived from the given name 'Theodorus' meaning 'God's gift' in Greek, or alternatively from the Old French 'devoir' meaning 'duty'.

Many members of the Devos family date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with records of the name found in documentary evidence such as parish registers, migration records and civil archives in the Netherlands and Belgium. The name was also recorded in the Netherlands when Napoleon began reclaiming Flanders lands in the early 19th century.

Today, the Devos surname is more commonly found throughout Europe, but particularly in the Netherlands and Belgium. The name can also be found in other parts of Europe such as France, Austria, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. There are also descendants of the Devos family living in the United States, Australia, Canada, and South America.

Variations of the surname Devos

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Devos include Devaux, Devaud, Devault, Deval, Devals, Deveaux, Devel, Develle, Devello, Devenault, Deveneau, Devere, Deveres, Deveret, Devereux, Devore, Devoré, Devour, Trouve, Trouveau, and Truvé.

The Devos surname is derived from a French root, derived from the Latin devotus, which translates to "dedicated" or "devoted." It is believed to have first been used as a personal or surname name to distinguish an individual who was particularly dedicated or devoted to their faith, profession, or kin.

Originally found in Normandy, the Devos surname began to spread to other areas of France, especially in the areas of Burgundy, Picardy, and Lorraine. Discoveries show that the Devos name can even be found recorded in England in the Middle Ages.

Variations of the Devos surname can also be found in other countries which used French as their language or culture for centuries, such as Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland. In some cases, the spelling of the surname might have changed slightly, such as the French variants Devoue, Deveu, and Deveau.

Overall, the Devos surname has numerous spelling variations and is often used interchangeably with other similarly sounding surnames of the same origin. The name is a testament to the dedication and devotion of its originator and its descendants, and can be found throughout various countries and cultures.

Famous people with the name Devos

• Betsy DeVos: Betsy DeVos is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, and current U.S. Secretary of Education. She is the wife of billionaire investor and current United States Secretary of Education, Dick DeVos. She has also previously served as the Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party from 1992 until 1997.
• Richard Devos: Richard Devos was an American entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. He was co-founder of Amway with Jay Van Andel, and was CEO of the company from its inception in 1959 until his retirement in 1993.
• Dick Devos: Dick Devos is an American businessperson and current United States Secretary of Education. He is the husband of current U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. He is the former president of Amway, having served from 1993 to 2002.
• Dan Devos: Dan Devos is an American businessman and current president and chairman of the board of Alticor Corporation, the parent company of Amway. He is the son of Betsy and Dick DeVos.
• Doug Devos: Doug Devos is an American businessman who is the president and CEO of Amway North America. He is the son of Betsy and Dick DeVos.
• Rick Devos: Rick Devos is an American politician who served as the 45th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan from 2011 to 2019. He is the son of Betsy and Dick DeVos.
• Helen Devos: Helen Devos is an American philanthropist and wife of Amway co-founder, Richard DeVos. She has donated significant amounts of money to various charities, particularly in the philanthropic field.

Other surnames

DevoltDevoniDevonportDevorDevoreDevossDevourDevoy